Vail Daily letter: ‘Yes’ on 4A

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I have lived in the Gypsum area for over four decades. In that time, I have seen U.S. Highway 6 transform into Interstate 70 and watched the populations of Eagle, Gypsum and even Dotsero grow. Traffic on the Colorado River Road has increased from a few cars in an hour’s time to cars and bicyclists competing for space. In the summer the Colorado River is now filled with rafters, float fishing, and inner tubes. Like it or not, our community is growing. With this growth, there is bound to be an increase in emergencies!

If there is an automobile accident, who is there to help? When someone is sick, who shows up? The fire department! Ask the homeowners on Spring Creek about the fire in September from a lightning strike, which was extinguished before reaching any dwellings.

I want the people of the Gypsum Fire District to really think about their vote on 4A. Funding for the fire district comes from property taxes, which have declined since 2010. Proposition 4A is only asking for a temporary increase in the mill levy, which comes up to roughly $7 a month for every $100,000 value on your property. I normally vote “no” on tax increases, but in my view this one is justified. It is a small price to pay when it comes to protecting our families,homes and community.